The pair, who played together as recently as two years ago for a Camp Rainbow benefit, grew up neighbors in Augusta, where Wilson's family moved when he was 4.

"I thought Larry Jon Wilson would live forever," Croft said.

Wilson's surviving brother, Billy Joe Wilson, traveled from California for the memorial, which concluded with a soulful rendition of the gospel classic Farther Along, which Wilson recorded in 1976 on his second Monument Records album.

Other friends who paid their respects included Augusta photographer Jimmy Thomas, who shot the cover portrait for Wilson's first album; Michael Leonard, his manager when he signed with Monument; Bob Melton; Steve Brantley; and Mike Stewart.

"It was an extremely positive service from a lot of people who really cared about Larry Jon, and who he cared about," Augusta Chronicle music columnist Don Rhodes said.

Wilson's body was cremated and his ashes interred at First Baptist's memorial garden.